The book is organized in four parts. A satisfying research project has coherence across the various parts (research question, methodology, methods, claim to knowledge) and the parts of the book reflect these four areas. .

Ralf St. Clair is Professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria in Canada. Ralf has worked in community education and universities in the United States and Canada as well as his native United Kingdom. He has a strong commitment to the education of adults, and has published books and articles on research, teaching approaches with adults and the importance of adult literacy. He has taught research to new researchers for many years.